Comet Assay Technique Value as a Response on Zinc Oxide Nanoparticales in Trigonella foenum-graecum Plant

The research was chosen to evaluate the genotoxicity effects of using zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on plants, due to their increased use in the environment without knowing the upper and lower limits of use. Therefore, the fenugreek plant (Trigonella foenum-graecum), known to be widespread in the Iraqi environment, was chosen. ZnO NPs were added at different concentrations (0, 300, 200, 100) mg/L, and plant seeds were grown in nutrient solution for six months. Genotoxicity was evaluated by comet assay analysis to determine DNA damage as well as total protein, and Malondialdehyde (MDA) were investigated to ensure the integrity of the membranes. The laboratories of the Ecology Department at the College of Science, University of Kufa for the year 2022-2023 were used to conduct experiments. DNA damage according to the values of some indicators related to the Comet Assay technique showed a significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in the tail length parameter in T. foenum-graecum plants when exposed to a concentration of 300 mg/L of ZnO NPs. In T. foenum-graecum plants, the highest percentage of DNA damage was found at a concentration of 100 mg/L. Also, the highest percentage of damage in Head Diameter and Tail Area parameters at a concentration of 300 mg/L with significant value at P ≤ 0.05.

Total protein showed the highest value at a concentration of 200 mg/L ZnO NPs. The treatment of 300 mg/L caused a negative effect led to an increase in content of MDA. Therefore, it is recommended to use a concentration of 200 mg / L as a fertilizer. This indicates the variability in the response of the studied plant to the doses of ZnO NPs according to different plant species.